Postdoc Fluid Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Position overview
Position title: Moore Postdoctoral Fellow
Salary range: A reasonable salary range estimate for this position is $69,073 - $71,632.
The posted UC academic salary scales ( https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/compensation/2025-26-academic-salary-scales.html ) set the minimum pay determined by rank and/or step at appointment. See the following table for the salary scale for this position - https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/represented-oct-2025-scales/t23.pdf
"Off-scale salaries", i.e., a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.
Application Window
Open date: February 9, 2026
Most recent review date: Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.
Final date: Monday, Feb 1, 2027 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
The Environmental Fluid Dynamics Lab in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at UCSD invites applications for a postdoctoral fellowship funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation focused on the topic of machine learning-based ocean state estimation to begin in Spring/Summer 2026. The successful applicant will develop and implement data-driven tools, underpinned by scientific machine learning and reduced-order modeling, for ocean state estimation with quantified uncertainties. The central aim is to increase the efficiency and accuracy of near-field prediction of physical and biological conditions for marine operations including marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) and aquaculture. The ideal candidate will have experience in two or three of the focal areas: data driven modeling, scientific machine learning or coastal ocean physics; and will have an interest in applying these towards ocean applications. The position will also include collaborative work with investigators at partner
institutions.
Additional information about postdoctoral positions at UCSD and benefits can be found on the UCSD Office of Postdoctoral and Research Scholar website.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Develop and apply reduced-order modeling approaches using spatiotemporal decompositions of large high-resolution simulation datasets.
• Develop and train machine learning architectures using reduced-order predictions together with heterogeneous observational data.
• Integrate data driven methods into a framework for uncertainty-aware ocean state estimation.
• Apply and validate the framework using datasets at experimental sites.
• Publish research in peer-reviewed journals and present results at national and international conferences;
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students in the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Lab.
The postdoc will work directly with Dr. Geno Pawlak Tejada ( https://sites.google.com/ucsd.edu/efdlab ), Boris Kramer ( https://kramer.ucsd.edu ) and Oliver Schmidt ( https://flowphysics.ucsd.edu ) at the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and will also collaborate with co-investigators at Stanford University. Additionally, there will be opportunities to mentor graduate and undergraduate students. The initial appointment will be for two years with possible extension, subject to performance and availability of funding. The total duration of an individual's postdoctoral service may not exceed five years, including postdoctoral service at other institutions. Salary will commensurate with qualifications and experience and with the UCSD Postdoc Salary Scale. ( https://postdoc.ucsd.edu/postdocs/index.html )
Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
Doctoral degree in engineering, oceanography or a related field, with relevant background in data-driven modeling, machine learning and/or fluid mechanics;
Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
• Experience in numerical fluid dynamics or ocean model application, validation and analysis;
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
Preferred qualifications
• Publication record in peer-reviewed journals related to the minimum qualifications;
• Ability to pursue research independently.
Application Requirements
Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research
• Summary of Doctoral Dissertation - One page summary (abstract) of your doctoral dissertation.

Reference requirements

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

If referee contact names are provided by deadline, application is noted as complete. Reference requests are generated automatically by Recruit. There will be one week's grace period to receive letters after the application deadline.
Apply link: https://apol-recruit.ucsd.edu/JPF04454
Help contact: tcandrews@ucsd.edu
About UC San Diego
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
As a university employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
The University of California prohibits smoking and tobacco use at all of its university-controlled properties.
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As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.
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• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
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Job location
San Diego, CA